Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog #38

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 38

Hello. I hope that you and yours all had a Happy Thanksgiving. We certainly did. All of our children and a few friends were able to join us for a wonderful day. Our daughter, Ginny came early to help with the preparation and everyone else brought food/drinks/etc. We had the traditional Turkey. John smoked it for a little while and he said that if he had to fire up the pit, he was going to cook a brisket. Both turned out to be delicious.

I am trying to stay busy. My finger still hurts when I hit it on something. That only happens a few times a day. I don’t sit and do nothing very well, so I just started on a new coverlet.

Oh and, right before Turkeyday we got our copies of Quilt mania’s Simply Vintage. Our daughter, Ginny’s folded books are on the cover-just like we were told. She is still taking orders, so get yours in. We had three designs also featured. All of these are in the Winter 2013 edition of Simply Vintage.

I am still excited about being on the cover of Quilt mania, I meant to put a picture on the last blog, but I didn’t, so, here is a picture.

Also, here are a few pictures of my booth at Houston.

I thought John did a nice job-I only had to tell him what to do a million times.

Right now, he is working on our schedule for the next year. So far, he has us going to Jefferson, Texas for the 11th annual Jefferson Quilt Show "Quilts on the Bayou". I love this show and it will be held at the Cyprus Valley Education Center. The show dates are: January 24, 25 and 26 of 2014. Join us there if you can. He keeps mumbling something about Puyallup, Washington and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. And I am pretty sure that we will be at the Dallas Quilt Show in March. I will let you know more when I know.



Well, my finger is telling me to quit for a bit---so---just remember always--- enjoy life--------ds

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 37

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 37

Hello. First, I would like to thank everyone who came by my booth at the International Quilt Festival in Houston. We "caught up" with so many old friends and made so many new ones. It was so much fun and I am so tired.

It was a real roller coaster ride. We checked into our motel and I told John that he needed to be real careful in the shower as the floor was very slick. Well, I woke him up the next morning with a bang. Yes, I fell in the shower. Fortunately, I was able to "break" my fall with my hand. Of course, one of my fingers did not fare so well. It is broken and in a splint. John has been telling everyone that I will be out of commission for a couple of days(huh). That was the low spot of the ride. We still needed to set up the booth, so I left John to do his magic and went to check on my friends at the Quilt mania booth. I had already heard that my design "Catch a Falling Snowflake" was on display in their booth at Quilt Market and I wanted to see if they were ready to let me have it back. I was greeted by the owner/editor, Carol. She handed me a copy of her latest magazine. My design is gracing the cover. I was so excited I nearly forgot that I had just broke my finger. She said that the staff voted on it and everybody just loved my design. It seems that it touches a lot of people. I am deeply touched and would like to thank Carol and the whole staff at Quilt mania and everyone else for the support. John went running around telling everybody that we made the cover of the Rolling Stone. He said something about wanting 5 copies.

Carol also picked out 5 more designs for future issues. And, she also told us that our daughter, Ginny’s folded books are on the cover of the latest issue of her  Simply vintage magazine.

Well, my finger is killing me--got to go---just remember always---enjoy life--- -----ds

PS: John made me promise to blog again soon and more often.

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 36

Hello everyone from the farm.  I missed telling you a few things on my last blog, and I apologize for that. I am inserting links for your convenience.

I would love to extend a "thank you" to all of you who came by our booth at the Quilt Expo in Madison  Wisconsin, and the American Quilters Society Quilt Show in Des Moines, Iowa.  They were both great shows and we love both cities.

We got to reconnect with so many old friends and make so many new ones. In Des Moines, we ate dinner at a local restaurant, and here is a picture of our friend, Sam Winover of Two Sisters Quilting,  "wrestling with our dinner" which was taken before we could enter the front door. We love to get a little bit of  local flavor when we can.

I would like to take my hat off to our friend, Jan Heddinger.  She  is still doing her Junk Jubilee thing in Des Moines.  It sounds like so much fun, that John is even thinking about going.  He doesn’t normally go North in the winter, so we will see. 

We really missed going to Longmont, Colorado, but we felt that they made the right choice when the Colorado Quilting Council cancelled the show.  It appeared that the flooding devastated the entire area.  Our hearts go out to all who have lost so much, not just in Colorado, but all over the world.

We are getting ready for the International Quilt Festival. It will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.  The show dates are October 31 through November 2.  Those in the know, will not miss the Special Pre-View Night on October 30.  Our booth number is 759.  Be sure and come by for a trick or a treat.  I have several new designs, as well as a lot of vintage and hand-dyed wool and ribbon.

So much has been happening. Quilt Mania Magazine emailed and wanted my design, #610 (Catch a Falling Snowflake) for their November/December magazine. And, they wanted two other designs and one of Ginny’s books for the Winter edition of their Simply Vintage magazine which is now available in English.
    
Right now, I have to go--see you in Houston. 

just remember always---enjoy life-------- ds

PS: It looks like I will be giving some classes after Houston and maybe a retreat or two.

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 35

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 35

I must be having too much fun.  I failed to tell everyone that we were going to Grand Rapids, Michigan to show off at the AQS Quilt Show which was held on August 14-17.  Sorry about that.  Anyway, it is a beautiful city and it was a good show for us. We met so many nice people. 

I really have been busy.  I have been having trouble finding the “right” colors for my Wool Applique, so I started Hand Dyeing my wool.  It is hard work, but I just love seeing the colors come to life.  The Wool was a “hit” at Grand Rapids and I hope to have it available on the web site real soon.

John decided to “do” the Sew Original & Creative Expo.  It will be held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, Aug.  30-Sept. 1.  He said that it would work real well to go from  there to the Quilt Expo 2013.  It will be held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept.  5-7.  I like that name.  Maybe I can get some more energy there.  Sometimes, I think that he is trying to kill me.  Well, they say that if it doesn’t kill you it will make you stronger-lets hope.

I would love to meet and visit with you at either one or both of these shows.

Right now, I have to get busy...so.....

just remember always---enjoy life-------- ds

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog #34

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 34

I just have time for a "quicky". We received some wonderful rain yesterday and it is still raining today. We really needed it and it looks like that the whole region is receiving some.

The Creative Quilters Guild of Ellis County, Texas had a cancellation at their 2013 Quilt Show and we are joining them as they present A WORLD OF COLOR July 19 and 20, 2013, at the Midlothian Conference Center in Midlothian, Texas (DFW area). Show hours both days are from 10 am to 5pm.

We are not even taking time to unload-just restock. Come by and see us if you can.

On another note, we had a lot of fun at Temple and are working on setting up some classes for some ladies that visited with us there. Call or email for information. And, I just got my latest Quilt Mania magazine with one of my designs in it. I thought that it was going to be in their Simply Vintage magazine. I am never sure what they are going to do. Anyway, it is the "Special" summer 2013 issue of Quilt Mania in ENGLISH. It should be in the magazine racks real soon.

Well, I’ve got to go---just remember always---enjoy life--------ds

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Vol. 33

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Vol 33;

Whew, we are busy recovering from the last shows and getting ready for the next show. It was not exactly three shows in a row, but it was awfully close. We met a lot of nice folks at all three shows.

We have been to Virginia and Chicago several times and knew what to expect. We have been to Minnesota also, but never to Duluth. What a beautiful city. We thought that we were in San Francisco or maybe Seattle. Especially, when we were driving straight up those mountains from Lake Superior to our motel. It makes you appreciate automatic tranmissions.

We joined some of our very good vendor friends, Sam Winover from Two Sisters Quilting and Hannah Lee from Hannah’s Quilts in Kansas City. From there we had a little "rolling tailgate party" all the way to Duluth. John was the leader and he definately got some lessons on how to lead. He thought that he would show them how to follow. I got a pretty good laugh out of that. We had a little more fun on the trek from Duluth to Chicago. We had three days to go 468 miles. We, of course, got off the main road and had a blast. John finally figured out how to lead, and that was good. So here we are, three cars pulling into every antique store we can find in the tri-state area. I really love the food in Chicago. We had a couple of "new restaurants" recommended and they were both good, but we had to eat three meals in our favorite Polish buffet (Old Warsaw). It was great as always. We have not eaten everywhere and we welcome any challenges.

Now, it is easy to have fun when you are assembling kits and labeling pieces of wool. Getting ready for our next show in nearby Temple, Texas where The Wildflower Quilt Guild presents "Let Freedom Ring" Quilt Show. The show dates are July 12 and 13 and it will be held at the Frank Mayborn Convention Center, 3303 N. 3rd, in Temple, Tx. Show hours are 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Come and see us if you can. 

John is busy printing and claims that he is going to mow the grass. It is hot, but we are enjoying a small break from the usual 100 + temperatures. I hope that it lasts for at least a little while.

Well, I better go see if I can get his motor running.

As always, "Enjoy Life"  












 

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Vol. 32

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Vol.  32

All is well on the farm.  We are getting ready to leave for the 40th ANNIVERSARY QUILT SHOW, "Fabulous at Forty" May 31 -June 2, 2013 at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia.  From there we have a few days to “freshen up”.  Then it is off to the Minnesota Quilters, Inc. 35th Annual Quilt Show and Conference, June 13-15, 2013, Duluth, Minnesota. 

Wow, I did not realize that both of those shows had so much history.  John says it is just a “hop, skip, and a little jump down to Chicago.  He is always saying stuff like that. Anyway, we will be vendors at the International Quilt Festival Chicago 2013, June 21-23, 2013 with Preview Night June 20, at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

We will be showing a few new redwork designs along with some wool applique.  We loaned one of our coverlets ”Grandmother’s Legacy” to Quilt Mania so they could feature it in an upcoming issue of their new magazine “Simply Vintage”.  It is only printed in French and available directly from them.  They featured five designs in a past issue and we got them to send us a few copies. We couldn’t read them but they had really good pictures.  It is a lot of fun working with them and I hope they get that coverlet back to us in time to take with us to these shows.  I guess time will tell.

I would like to invite you to come by my booth and visit at one of these shows.  John promised me he would be on his best behavior.  I will try to keep him on a short leash.

We hope to do a show in your part of the world soon.  More about them when I know for sure.

Well, I have to go, so as always “Enjoy Life

DS

PS- I just have to mention that our granddaughter is graduating from high school this Spring along with my niece.  Where do the years go-seems like they were babies just yesterday...a big hug and congratulations to both of you.  We couldn’t be more proud.
Also, my daughter is finally writing patterns for some of her folded books-we hope to have them in our booth real soon.

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 31

Happy Mother' day.  I am sitting here enjoying the quiet.  Two of my children (Josh & Ginny), their girlfriend/boyfriend (Taryn & Wade) and 3 grandpuppies were here for the weekend.  We had lots of hugs, food, and  fun. Quinn (our sweet little, loveable puppy) gave everyone hugs, excluding the other dogs and promptly went to bed.  He did get excited when Ginny and Wade left...He kind of bonded with Wade and thought for a moment, when the leash came out, that he was going to his Ginny's house. When that didn't happen, he was clearly disappointed for a minute...then decided he would just go to bed.
 
Now we are back to quiet.  I need to get some kits made for our next shows.  Our next one is in Chantilly, Virginia-May 31 and June 1 & 2.  Then we catch our breath before heading north to Duluth Minnesota- June 13, 14 & 15, and from there it is on to Chicago-June 19-23. I would love to visit with you at one or more of our booths at any of these shows.

If you didn't get the kit you wanted in Paducah and didn't order at the show....We have them now, but since I only make them for shows...they are on a first come basis.(call 512 556 3019 or email us at lakadaisies@hotmail.com
 
The weather is quite warm here in Texas, the wildflowers are wonderful, and I am hoping for a rainy summer...In all of our travels, it seems to be raining, but we still are dry in Texas....so...I am hoping to bring some back with us when we come home. 
We just sent off our GrandMother's Legacy coverlet to France for an upcoming issue of Quilt Mania's "Simply Vintage", along with another design.  We hope to have them back with us before the show in Chantilly at the end of the Month....The coverlet was a big success in Paducah...Speaking of Paducah....It was a really nice show, Thanks all-
especially Bonnie and Laurie.  We ran into several old friends and made so many new ones. We really enjoyed everything, apart from the rain and the Porta Potties-That were actually outside in the rain (not sure where I expected them to be)....We stayed in a really nice hotel and the dogwood trees were in bloom....so nice....and the wonderful old houses and buildings  along the Ohio River are some of my favorites...John said “Let’s go over into Illinois”. The tall, narrow bridge over the Ohio River.......noper....gonna have to say...I do not recommend that to the faint of heart.....I still get goose bumps thinking of it...

John is working on finalizing our schedule for the rest of the year.  I know that we are going to have a booth at the Quilt Show, right down the road in Temple, Texas in July. He has also mentioned such places as Grand Rapids, Long Beach, Des Moines, and Madison, Wisconsin.  I think that he has also been talking to some people in Atlanta and Florida.  I will let you know as soon as I know.

I have got to run-I think I hear him coming
as always---enjoy life
dolores Storm

Down On The Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 30

Down on the Lakadaisies Farm Blog # 30

I did not realize that it has been so long since my last blog. I have been busy. We recently got home from the Quilt expo in Puallup, Washington and then the AQS show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Both were great shows and it was quite a long trip. I would like to say a quick "thank you" to all of the wonderful people who made me feel at home in all of my travels.

We had a new edition of Quilt Mania’s "Simply Vintage" magazine waiting for us when we got home..The Spring addition... #6. We have one of our designs featured in it from our Hand me Down series. The Appliqued Sampler #608, it is on the back cover as well. We have just sent off a new design to them and we just arranged to send them another coverlet when we get back from Paducah. I have been busy getting ready for the big AQS show in Paducah, Kentucky.

When I think of Paducah, I have to smile. We were at a small guild show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida many moons ago....just starting out on the quilt show circuit....so very naive....when Bonnie, the president of the AQS came to our booth. She must have liked it because she asked if we would be interested in doing the AQS show in Paducah, if a booth became available......Well, I was so ignorant about things then...I had no idea who or what the AQS was or where Paducah was...John said he thought it was in Texas....somewhere.......

We of course said yes, not wanting to appear the clueless newbie..so in a little while we were off to Paducah and right away we found out we were out of our comfort zone....definately not in Kansas anymore. We had a wonderful show....Thank you Bonnie.

We were immediately bullied by other venders about not paying our dues.....I had no idea what dues they were talking about....again...ignorant.....John said we would pay them later. That was in 2002, and we are heading back to Paducah in a few days. I am hoping that John has paid the dues ? If not, I guess that he will have to pay them later. We hope to see you there. The dates are April 24-27. We will be in the Bubble? I am hoping also for good weather...the last time we were there we had a huge rain storm with tornados all around.We had to drive an hour and a half just to sleep at a fish camp....and wait a minute.....John says we will still be driving two hours to and from but....this time I am not staying at a fish camp...they were booked...not kidding.... I am trying to stay positive....I will not be a baby about this....I am a seasoned quilt show vendor now, I am a professional and I know to bring along several bottles of wine...just in case...oh, and chocolate..... no seasoned quilt show vendor goes anywhere without the essentials...

Got to run---just remember always---enjoy life--------ds

I promise not to take so long next time